Featured Audience Ratings

• Reid V

  
  Absolutely riveting. There seem to always be a batch of films that no matter how old they are, they never lose their edge. The Battle of Algiers is one of those impressive works. From a filmmaking standpoint, it commands every ounce of your attention span. The camera work is so smart… More
  Absolutely riveting. There seem to always be a batch of films that no matter how old they are, they never lose their edge. The Battle of Algiers is one of those impressive works. From a filmmaking standpoint, it commands every ounce of your attention span. The camera work is so smart and compounds the blistering tension that invades every scene. This coupled with Morricone's invasive yet impeccable score never gives you a moments rest, even when you know what is going to take place. I think what makes this film so powerful is the fact that Pontecorvo was able to encompass not only the power and emotion behind a revolutionary movement, but also show the confusion, sorrow, and often senseless violence that are the by-product of these movements. Also, It was hard not to make modern day parallels to the occupation of Iraq. Watching these French officials attempt to find order and use their minds to fight an "enemy" who is empowered by their hearts, made me rethink every time I saw an American general on television discussing their efforts in stifling the revolutionary movement. It is a rare and brilliant film and is a must watch for any fans of film.

• Randy T

  
  It's been said that movies, unlike any other art form, transcend space and time and transport us somewhere else. Movies can promote empathy and can make us concerned with lives that are not our own. Some movies, the really good ones, can even make us better people. The Battle of… More
  It's been said that movies, unlike any other art form, transcend space and time and transport us somewhere else. Movies can promote empathy and can make us concerned with lives that are not our own. Some movies, the really good ones, can even make us better people. The Battle of Algiers is one of those movies. Based on the true story of Algeria's long struggle for independence, this film chronicles a group of freedom fighters (terrorists) as they attempt to overthrow the French Colonial Government. In it's initial release, The Battle of Algiers hit a little too close to home for Americans who were still wallowing through the muck of their own occupation of Vietnam. I'd wager that, if it were released today, it would have the same effect. It's powerful and brutally honest in its depiction of street warfare. A rare offering that is completely deserving of all the hype.

• Conner R

  
  While it is a visually amazing movie, everything else seems to be in a sense of disarray. The plot was over obvious and sold to you like a used car salesman and the acting was just atrocious. It's hard to convey a message when there is no emotion behind it.

• Ken S

  
  The Paul Greengrass crib sheet. Great Ennio Morricone score

• danny d

  
  strirring and perfect from start to finish. although difficult to watch, it is at the same time one of the more beautiful films ever made. non traditional for a semi-war film, the reality of the story and method of film making provide a shocking glimpse into the tragic reality of… More
  strirring and perfect from start to finish. although difficult to watch, it is at the same time one of the more beautiful films ever made. non traditional for a semi-war film, the reality of the story and method of film making provide a shocking glimpse into the tragic reality of the life of people in the midst of struggle. one of the best films ive ever seen.

• Luke B

  
  Flawless and relevant film making. Over 40 years on and the world is still dealing with similar circumstances. It has even been reported that The Battle of Algiers was screened by the Pentagon is relation to Iraq. It's politically charged but has no agenda. Each side is treated… More
  Flawless and relevant film making. Over 40 years on and the world is still dealing with similar circumstances. It has even been reported that The Battle of Algiers was screened by the Pentagon is relation to Iraq. It's politically charged but has no agenda. Each side is treated as equals, with no emotional manipulation or justification for the actions. On paper both sides are in the "right" but we see just how devastating the outcomes can be. Shot like a documentary and every bit as important. This is a film that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so. You'll never find a fairer or more powerful film.

• Stefanie C

  
  this film is a masterpiece! an amazing foray into cinema verite, punctuated by morricone's score. achingly human in depicting algiers struggle for independence and france's 130 year colonization of the country. the juxtaposition of the european quarter/ bourgouisie and the… More
  this film is a masterpiece! an amazing foray into cinema verite, punctuated by morricone's score. achingly human in depicting algiers struggle for independence and france's 130 year colonization of the country. the juxtaposition of the european quarter/ bourgouisie and the casbah/survirors illustrates the effects of colonization. relevant exploration of terrorism, for a people so disempowered, and torture, as a response. the french position, as stated by colonel mathieu, raises the moral ambiguity of the occupation by revealing that the same french soldiers in the conflict are also the ones that fought nazism and spent time in concentration camps. this film raises many moral and philosophical questions for which there may not be absolute answers.

• Tim S

  
  This is a badass movie that shows both sides of a revolutions and demonstrates why terrorism begins and why it will always be around. The director uses documentary footage intercut with the film and it is amazing. You also add music by Ennicio Morricone which always helps any movie.… More
  This is a badass movie that shows both sides of a revolutions and demonstrates why terrorism begins and why it will always be around. The director uses documentary footage intercut with the film and it is amazing. You also add music by Ennicio Morricone which always helps any movie. Great film and I wish they would use this as an example of how they should make films about war instead of the one sided bullshit that we produce.

• Greg S

  
  Cold-blooded assasinations, street shoutouts, cafe bombings, riots and torture are the tools used by the Algierian insurgents and occupying French. The warts of both warring factions are shown on both sides in this depressingly familiar, yet utterly fascinating, documentary-style war… More
  Cold-blooded assasinations, street shoutouts, cafe bombings, riots and torture are the tools used by the Algierian insurgents and occupying French. The warts of both warring factions are shown on both sides in this depressingly familiar, yet utterly fascinating, documentary-style war picture.

• Stella D

  
  incredible film and incredibly relevant to what's still happening 50 years later. it's been called a terrorist manual and an anti-terrorist manual and it is both. a visceral experience.

• Aaron N

  
  Col. Mathieu: There are 80,000 Arabs in the Kasbah. Are they all against us? We know they're not. In reality, it's only a small minority that dominates with terror and violence. This minority is our adversary and we must isolate and destroy it. A very good movie depicting… More
  Col. Mathieu: There are 80,000 Arabs in the Kasbah. Are they all against us? We know they're not. In reality, it's only a small minority that dominates with terror and violence. This minority is our adversary and we must isolate and destroy it. A very good movie depicting the Algerian War taking place between the French and Algerian Nationalists. It is shot like a documentary, with the subject matter being shown in a sort of gritty intensity, which has gone on to influence many other directors and film styles. The first half of the story revolves around the nationalists themselves. We see assassinations, bombings, the behind the scenes of these activities, and some of the politics surrounding it. The second half of the story portrays the government action taken against these nationalists including their own plots, torture, and various other measures. Its brutal but very true. The movie was made shortly after the war had ended, but the conflict still lives on today. Also great is Ennio Morricone's score of the film, which adds to the intensity of some of the scenes. Very well made film that has inspired many more for future years. Journalist: The law's often inconvenient, Colonel. Col. Mathieu: And those who explode bombs in public places, do they respect the law perhaps? When you put that question to Ben M'Hidi, remember what he said?

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic](I had seen "Battle of Algiers" quite a few years ago and did not remember that much about it. With the ungoing disaster in Iraq and a rerelease in NYC, my interest in the film had been rekindled and I decided to watch it again...)[/font] [font=Century… More
  [font=Century Gothic](I had seen "Battle of Algiers" quite a few years ago and did not remember that much about it. With the ungoing disaster in Iraq and a rerelease in NYC, my interest in the film had been rekindled and I decided to watch it again...)[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Battle of Algiers" starts out in the title city in 1957. The first thing we see is a prisoner who has just been tortured by the French military into giving up the location of a rebel leader, Ali La Pointe. The movie then flashes back to 1954 when La Pointe is an illiterate, petty criminal. He is recruited by the National Liberation Front while in prison. The movie then follows the growth of the insurrection forward to 1957.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Battle of Algiers" is a powerful, provocative fact-based movie filmed in a neo-realist style of a movement for independence seen through the eyes of both French and Algerians. The movie technically sides with the Algerians but features brutality by both sides and does not glamorize the violence. It equates colonialism with racism. My only minor complaint is that I do not really believe in the efficacy of torture. [/font]

• Brandon W

  
  To call The Battle of Algiers a haunting film is a gross understatement. Though it is an Italian-produced film, it is set in Algeria and follows the true story of the Algerians' struggle for autonomy from France during the mid to late 1950s. It blends the bleak realism of… More
  To call The Battle of Algiers a haunting film is a gross understatement. Though it is an Italian-produced film, it is set in Algeria and follows the true story of the Algerians' struggle for autonomy from France during the mid to late 1950s. It blends the bleak realism of Schindler's List with the social commentary of Battleship Potemkin. This is accentuated by vivid depictions of mass genocide, authentic performances and a mesmerizing music score by Ennio Morricone (who is well known for scoring many Sergio Leone westerns in the 1960s). Though it was released forty five years ago, The Battle of Algiers still packs a visceral punch unlike any other film from its era. Its style often resembles a documentary film with its raw cinematography and realistic footage. Being the neo-realistic film that it is, almost all of the acting is performed by no-name actors. While this may sound like a bad thing at first, it only adds to the realism, making every torture scene, every shooting, and every death seem as if it were true. Remember, the Hays Code (which would be abolished two years later) was not effective in Italy, so there were practically no restraints on the amount of graphic imagery allowed to be depicted on screen. With this authentic tone, I felt like I cared for the characters much more than the ones in most Hollywood fare of the 1960s. Ironically, they felt much more life-like than the ones characterized by professional Hollywood actors. The Battle of Algiers is an achingly human experience, enhanced by down-to-Earth direction and authentic character portrayals. It is a bona fide masterpiece of world cinema and has retained every bit of its power since its initial release in 1966. I would be hard-pressed to find a film that has aged as well as The Battle of Algiers has. Fun fact: This was originally supposed to be a Hollywood film starring Paul Newman. I can't see it conveying the same realism or emotion as in the version we now know.

• John B

  
  A great history lessons for those who are not familiar with the French colonial experiement in Algeria and elsewhere in Northern Africa. It is remarkable how interested the French remain in their former possessions to the south.

• Chris B

  
  Going into my initial viewing of "The Battle of Algiers", I knew I was about to witness not just an important piece of world cinema but I did not expect to find such depth and timeless appeal that assaulted me all at once! The Director, Gillo Pontecorvo, is thought of as… More
  Going into my initial viewing of "The Battle of Algiers", I knew I was about to witness not just an important piece of world cinema but I did not expect to find such depth and timeless appeal that assaulted me all at once! The Director, Gillo Pontecorvo, is thought of as one of Italy's most acclaimed Directors and this is his masterpiece! Like his early films, "The Battle of Algiers" utilizes a documentary feel and realism but is edited together so wonderfully, that it flows off the screen and bombards the viewer with It's wealth. The film examines the film's title but has a multitude of perseved angles and intentions in what it portrays and to whom. While many, including the U.S. have had subsequent viewings as not just a cautionary tale but one of combating guerilla warfare, to me I saw a brutal fight for freedom and independence above all else! The Algerian's, who played all but the two French officers in the film, were having to go to more and more extreme acts as the French did in order to crush the revolt. We start at the end, then proceed to the genesis of the protagonist and his rough and meaningless upbringing to fighting as a leader of his own people in a battle for the countries freedom and that of it's people. The film is a gut wrenching and morally haunting film on both sides and is wonderfully balanced and portrayed, representing the horrors but also the humanity at the heart of people. I acknowledge this as truly moving and essential cinema that is utterly captivating and will leave you dwelling on what you viewed and all the ground it covered along the way.

• Lesley N

  
  I put off seeing this for years, battles, colonial politics....zzzzz. More fool me. It was fascinating. Amazingly well balanced story and incredible acting , specially the mobs of extras.

• Alec B

  
  This is one amazing film! It tells the true life story of the algierian people fighting to overthrow the ruling french regieme. The mivie is filmed in a documentaru format so that as a viewer you do not judge either side too harshly, both the Algerians and the French did horrible… More
  This is one amazing film! It tells the true life story of the algierian people fighting to overthrow the ruling french regieme. The mivie is filmed in a documentaru format so that as a viewer you do not judge either side too harshly, both the Algerians and the French did horrible things to eachother in this revolution and the film does not shy away from showing how many innocent people died just so one side could hurt the other.

• Anthony V

  
  A film from the perspective of terrorists. The anger, tension, and suspense curl up on your lap and force you to watch it from start to finish.

• Ivan D

  
  Widely heralded as one of the most historically significant films of all time, watching "The Battle of Algiers" is like watching a riveting, 2-hour newsreel footage, complete with all those 'blink and you'll miss it' moments of candid power. But more… More
  Widely heralded as one of the most historically significant films of all time, watching "The Battle of Algiers" is like watching a riveting, 2-hour newsreel footage, complete with all those 'blink and you'll miss it' moments of candid power. But more importantly, what makes "The Battle of Algiers" a fine film is its incredibly unbiased and objective depiction of the Algerian revolution; a quite tricky feat perhaps, considering the fact that for films like this, it's quite difficult not to choose sides. But by choosing not to be emotionally partisan, "The Battle of Algiers" was able to realistically reconstruct the events and make them flow in an intensely natural way. On one side, there's the radical group called the National Liberation Front (FLN), whose tactics border on outright terrorism. While on the other, there are the French paratroopers, whose interrogation methods and counter military acts border on the atrociously inhumane. Gillo Pontecorvo, the film's director, is quite adamant in highlighting the fact that in the bigger picture, none of them (the FLN and the French military) are completely righteous nor utterly justified in what they do and that the film's real protagonist is not the French's Colonel Matthieu (played by Jean Martin) or the FLN's Ali La Pointe (played by Brahim Hadjadj) but the Algerian people themselves. Ultimately, "The Battle of Algiers" succeeds as a film that deals with the universal language of revolution and as a stunning portrayal of an otherwise obscure fragment of history. Speaking as a citizen who is born and raised in a country (the Philippines) that had its fair share of political uprisings, I can easily connect with the Algerian revolutionaries' fevered sentiment towards freedom and colonial deliverance. But what I cannot particularly embrace in the Algerian Revolution is the unnecessary bloodshed, which was starkly captured by the film's black and white photography (by Marcello Gatti) and was intensified by Ennio Morricone's iconic musical score. Personally, I did not enjoy "The Battle of Algiers" that much because, after all, there's no way that the film is an entertaining one to watch. It's never a film that wholly glorifies the Algerian Revolution and carelessly trivializes the violence involved in it. Instead, the film shows the titular conflict merely as one thing: a bloody footnote in human history. And for this, I praise the Algerian government, which has commissioned the film's creation, for not peppering it with spirited propaganda. With a faceless crowd as the protagonist and with no sides taken, "The Battle of Algiers" is a clear-cut proof of how neutrality can make a cinematic difference. (Note: In 2003, the film was screened in the Pentagon to highlight the pressing problems faced by the United States in its invasion of Iraq. Quite ironic, isn't it?)

• Jared H

  
  I understand why this is such a significant movie, but in all honesty, I just wasn't in the mood to watch this movie when I saw it in class, so that fact alone has influenced this review. I'll probably watch it again someday, and I'll probably like and appreciate it… More
  I understand why this is such a significant movie, but in all honesty, I just wasn't in the mood to watch this movie when I saw it in class, so that fact alone has influenced this review. I'll probably watch it again someday, and I'll probably like and appreciate it more when I do, but for now, my first experience with this movie is a 3 stars. Why even rate it now, you ask? Suck a nut.

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